Does a great idea ever pop into your head as you are walking home from work, taking a walk in the park, shopping for groceries, or really anytime when you are not sitting in front of your computer prepared to write? It certainly happens to me – so what do I do about it? I carry a notebook. I learned this from my husband who is never without his Moleskine, always ready to write down an idea when he thinks of it, relieved of having to worry about remembering it perfectly for later.
Why does this happen – these “aha!” moments in the midst of busy days? Well, because even if your computer is turned off, your brain isn’t! The paper or problem that you are working on continues to be muddled-over and analyzed in your subconscious during what John Bean (the author of the book Engaging Ideas: The Professor’s Guide to Integrating Writing, Critical Thinking, and Active Learning in the Classroom, which all Writing Across the Curriculum faculty and fellows read) calls the incubation period – the time when the writer steps away from his or her work and “lets ideas cook” (p. 30).
It has been during some of these incubation periods when I have had my best ideas, when things seem to come together. Before I began my notebook-carrying, when I would get a good idea at an inconvenient time, I would be fearful of forgetting the idea’s clarity. Now, with a notebook, I don’t need to worry about that anymore! I’m ready to jot things down in an instant and I have taken away the pressure I put on myself to have a perfect memory.
Now…I know that it’s not always possible to carry a notebook, so if you are out some place fancy and have a pocket, take a little sheet of scrap paper or an index card with you. Also, if you forget to bring something, paper napkins, ticket stubs, and theater programs work well too!
Your mind is always active, which means that you should be ready to write no matter where you are! A lot can happen when you are away from your desk, so be sure to be prepared and take full advantage of it!
Do you have any writing tips or suggestions? Please share! Add a comment!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
My Moleskine is my constant companion. So many times I've been glad to have it around.
One of the bonuses of having a fantastically large purse is that there is always room for my journal AND scraps of paper to write on. Great post!
Post a Comment